From the launch of the Group project in 2017 to the vision for the future: President Gianfranco De Bellis shares his thoughts during Mediobanca’s “Mid Corporate and Private Equity” event.
The Chairman of Korus Group, Gianfranco De Bellis, took part today in the event “Mid Corporate and Private Equity: Twenty Years of Transformation and Growth”, organized by Mediobanca and dedicated to the relationship between Italian mid-sized companies and private equity. His interview took place during a morning session that brought together private equity professionals and senior executives leading businesses backed by private equity funds, providing an opportunity to discuss growth strategies, value creation and the role of private equity in the development of Italian companies.
From Vision to Leadership
"I am very pleased to have embarked on this journey in 2017 together with our first investment fund," the Chairman said, reflecting on the evolution of Tatuus and the Group. "When I first met with the private equity investors, the idea I put on the table was to bring together Italy's niche expertise in motorsport. Bringing those capabilities together meant creating a group able to offer a true 360-degree solution. Back in 2017, Tatuus was a small company. Today, I am proud to say that 20 of the 22 current Formula 1 drivers developed through a Tatuus car, while our Group's turnover has grown significantly. For decades, the market for single-seater racing cars below Formula 1 was largely dominated by British manufacturers. Today, however, it is a sector that speaks Italian. That is something to reflect on, and it also challenges us to keep delivering something better in order to maintain our leadership position."
Building the Group
The audience showed particular interest when the Chairman described the process of building a motorsport group. "This is a very unique industry, and we were fortunate to find private equity partners who were genuinely passionate and willing to understand the dynamics of motorsport. Our first acquisition was an engine company, Autotecnica, whose CEO, Giovanni Delfino, was the ideal person to lead the entire Group thanks to his commercial and managerial expertise. The next step was the acquisition of Breda Racing, a company we had worked with for many years. This enabled us to strengthen our business and offer customers a Group capable of meeting every specific requirement in vehicle design and manufacturing. Throughout this process, we always preserved independent and differentiated business lines, ensuring the strength of each company while supporting healthy and diversified growth. Ownership later transitioned to The Equity Club, with whom we have built an outstanding relationship and who have brought great stability to the Group. Before private equity, we were almost navigating by sight, but over time we built a strong management team capable of turning our vision into reality."
Growth Built on People
The Chairman also highlighted the importance of people and the Group's commitment to investing in young talent. "The Covid period had a major impact, but motorsport responded extraordinarily well, returning to activity very quickly and triggering a phase of significant expansion. In less than ten years, we grew from Tatuus generating €13–14 million in revenue to a Group generating €150 million, while our workforce expanded from 20 employees to more than 300. It makes me proud to know that we have many outstanding young professionals in whom we have invested significantly, and who will carry forward the story of our brands and our Group with the same passion as those who founded them."
Looking Ahead
"Today we are able to take on major projects with a level of strength and structure that we could never have imagined in the past. Our goal is always to deliver the highest quality, both in our products and in our service, anywhere in the world and at any time, always placing the customer at the center of everything we do while nurturing the long-standing relationships that have brought our products to race on circuits across the globe. That is something to reflect on, and it also drives us to keep improving in order to maintain our leadership position."

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